Village Green Japanese Zelkova

KEY

Street: Appropriate for restricted size planting sites; recommended by the City of Chicago Urban Tree Planting List
Park/Residential: Appropriate for landscaped planting sites including public parks, residential property, golf courses, cemeteries, etc.
Legacy: For plantings with an expected life span of more than 60 years; retained 50 percent or more climate suitability in models for the decade 2080
N/R +35 yrs: Not recommended for plantings with an expected life span of more than 35 years

Village green Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata 'Village Green')

Planting Site:
Street
Park/Residential
Legacy
Description:

Japanese Zelkova is large vase-shaped tree with a dense canopy and attractive brown, exfoliating bark. 'Village Green' is a more vigorous selection of this species with a straight trunk and dark green leaves that turn red in fall. It is a medium to large deciduous tree, typically growing to 50–80 feet tall with a spreading, generally upward-branching, vase-shaped crown. It is noted for its graceful shape, clean foliage, attractive bark and resistance to Dutch elm disease. Zelkova has in fact been promoted in recent years as a substitute for American elm (Ulmus americana) because of its resistance to Dutch elm disease. Insignificant small green flowers appear in spring as the foliage emerges. Flowers give way to small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes that ripen in autumn. Oblong-elliptic dark green leaves (to 3 inches long) with coarse, ciliate marginal teeth and acuminate tips. Fall color is a consistent rusty red. Smooth gray bark in youth exfoliates with age to reveal orange-brown inner bark. Japanese Zelkova is a tough, pest- and disease-resistant tree suitable for planting along streets, in parks, or in residential areas.

Zelkova serrata 'Village Green'Zelkova serrata 'Village Green'